FEATURED ARTICLES ABOUT COREY CRAWFORD - PAGE 3

The Chicago Blackhawks have a new coach for the men who will be manning the crease during the 2013-14 season. The Hawks announced Monday that they had hired Steve Weeks as the team's goaltending coach, replacing Stephane Waite, who left for the Montreal Canadiens after helping develop Corey Crawford into a Stanley Cup-winning netminder. “We are thrilled with the addition of Steve Weeks to our organization,” Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman said in a statement. “He has over two decades of professional hockey experience and is a well-respected coach both on and off the ice.” The 55-year-old Weeks most recently served as an assistant coach and goaltending specialist with the Atlanta Thrashers for nine seasons (2001-10)

On Saturday, Corey Crawford has to be better than the defending Stanley Cup champions and their Conn Smythe Trophy-winning goalie. Then, on Sunday, Corey Crawford has to be better than the defending Stanley Cup champions and their Conn Smythe Trophy-winning goalie. "Doesn't matter," Crawford said Friday. "Can't control it. No point in arguing or complaining about it. " Somewhere in that sentiment exists the reason why the Blackhawks don't worry about their goaltender anymore, and haven't for a while, not even when spasms of cataclysm occur in the postseason or when a specter such as the Kings' Jonathan Quick mans the cage at the other end of the ice. The Hawks can be the Hawks because their goaltender collects himself and goes about his business with no worries.

Marian Hossa again didn't practice Monday because of an upper-body injury, but the winger will travel with the Blackhawks as they embark on a two-game trip beginning Tuesday in Phoenix. "He's doing better," coach Joel Quenneville said. "We're hoping he can play (Tuesday). " Hossa didn't practice Friday and missed Saturday's shootout loss to the Bruins with the injury. Rostislav Olesz skated on Hossa's normal line with Patrick Kane and Daniel Carcillo. Quenneville said Ben Smith continues to progress in his recovery from a concussion, but it's unknown when he will play.

The Sports Xchange Blackhawks trade with Flames for backup G Karlsson The Chicago Blackhawks acquired goaltender Henrik Karlsson in a trade Monday with the Calgary Flames for for a seventh-round pick in the 2013 NHL Draft and assigned him to their American Hockey League team. Karlsson, 29, was beaten out in training camp by Leland Irving for the Flames' backup goaltending job to Miikka Kiprusoff. Karlsson went 1-4-2 in nine games for the Flames last season with a 3.17 goals-against average and .909 save percentage.

Blackhawks at Stars TV/radio: 7:30 p.m. Friday; CSN, WGN-AM 720. Series: Stars 2-1-0. Last meeting: Stars won 3-1 on Feb. 23 at the United Center. Probable goaltenders: Hawks, Corey Crawford, 23-16-5, 2.89 goals-against average; Stars, Kari Lehtonen, 29-15-4, 2.21. Storyline: Hawks look to extend points streak to three games as they hit road (14-18-3). Winger Marian Hossa has three goals and six assists in last 10 games. Stars have won 10 of last 12 games and are third in Western Conference.

Corey Crawford came up big against big-time competition, and the Chicago Blackhawks goaltender was recognized for it Monday when he was named NHL "Third Star" of the week. Facing Colorado, Anaheim and Boston, Crawford went 2-0-1 with a 2.22 goals-against average and .916 save percentage. He had 23 saves in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Avalanche, 19 in a 4-2 win over the Ducks and 34 (plus two in a shootout) in a 3-2 win over the Bruins. First star was Tampa Bay Lightning winger Martin St. Louis, followed by Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick.